News from library authorities:
Stockport
The biggest thing to have happened over the summer has been our Reading Comes Alive fortnight which took place between 13th-27th August in Merseyway Shopping Centre.
Reading-related events took place in stores and other locations throughout the fortnight and the library service had a constant presence in 'The Reading Zone', a marquee in the centre of Merseyway.
The event was a huge success, building on last year's inaugural Reading Comes Alive fortnight, offering us the chance to show off what we do in a prime location.
Part of the aim of the fortnight is for us to reach people we normally wouldn't be able to and we certainly managed to do so, signing up hundreds of new members, and reminding all those lapsed borrowers why they joined us in the first place.
Special events for children and families included sessions with illustrator Lynne Chapman who was also kind enough to present prizes to the winners of our 'Design a Library Card' competition. Storyteller Nick Hennessey found himself telling stories in a tent in Blacks outdoor shop, a unique experience for him and an exciting event for the children attending. Patrick Ryan told stories in WH Smiths and we hosted 'Bounce and Rhyme' sessions with Rogan Mills in Mothercare. Tom Palmer also came down with a drop-in version of his football reading game which was particularly popular, with a constant flow of children wanting to take part - and a couple of pensioners too!
The children's element of Reading Comes Alive was brought to a close with the Storytellers Theatre Company literally bringing reading alive with a lively performance of Wind in the Willows on the bank holiday Monday.
This year we expanded Reading Comes Alive to include events for adults. Former Cheshire Poet Laureate, Harry Owen, hosted a couple of poetry reading and writing sessions. Comic performance poets Julian Daniel and Marvin Cheeseman did a couple of outdoor performances, sharing their unique style with anyone who'd stop and listen. Bestselling crime writer Stephen Booth talked to readers in Waterstones and in Stockport Central Library.
Plans are already being made for next year's Reading Comes Alive which we hope will be more packed and better than ever.
For more information contact: Paul Howarth on 0161 474 5751
Time To Read currently has a full time paid co-ordinator, supported by Arts Coucil of England and Museums, Libraries and Archives, North West.